Oro Valley United Church of Christ Choir

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Oro Valley United Church Of Christ Choir

The Oro Valley United Church Of Christ Choir is a volunteer group of singers that meet weekly in order to prepare anthems to be sung during worship services. Our season runs from September to May. During the summer small groups occasionally get together to perform special musical numbers. Rehearsals are one hour long on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8 P.M. The choir also prepares special music for Christmas and Easter services. Music selections are varied in style and always carry a message related to the lectionary readings assigned to the specific week

Future plans for the Choir include the continuation of the traditional Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols, and the Easter Cantata, as well as the patriotic "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Other collaborative music efforts for Holy Week are in the works, and as always, our soloist plans a diverse and eclectic variety of choral anthems and arrangements. Guest musicians, instrumentalists and other musical collaborations reinforce and enrich the Oro Valley United Church Of Christ worship experience.

Newcomers are always welcome to sing with our choir.

Can you carry a tune?

Do you enjoy singing in a group?

Are you looking to sing with a choir?

Come and sing with us!

Herbie is currently working on his Master’s Degree in choral conducting at the University of Arizona. During his undergraduate studies, he was Artistic Director of the one hundred member St. Olaf Gospel Choir for three years. Herbie also has held various positions with the Phoenix Boys Choir. A tenor vocalist for eleven years, he is also experienced in providing voice and piano lessons. In 2007, Herbie co-presented a strategic plan during the National ACDA Convention entitled “Starting a Successful Neighborhood Choir Program.”

Choir traditions

Christmas Program

With the coming of every Advent Season, the choir starts preparing a special program which is presented during a Sunday Service in December. This is the highlight of our year and the Choir has grown up to 30 members for this occasion. We give voice to the events leading to the Birth of Christ, in the midst of Christmas decorations and a festive atmosphere. Soloists, small groups, instrumental music and other combinations of musical numbers are always included.

Easter Program

Easter is a joyous time for The Oro Valley United Church Of Christ Choir. On Easter Sunday, we present a triumphant musical selection celebrating Christ's Resurrection. There are always trumpets and other brass instruments involved as well.

Battle Hymn of the Republic

It has become a tradition to close our season of singing with a patriotic rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Dave Bevirt introduced the choir to his arrangement of: "This Is My Country" and "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!" With snare drum and flute heard by all, the Oro Valley United Church Of Christ Choir sings this piece on Memorial Day Weekend.

Choir History

The Oro Valley United Church Of Christ Choir has been in existence since the birth of our congregation in 1992. Early rehearsals were held at Trudy Tamary's house in Copper Creek. In those years, choir directors included Cheryl Rittenbaugh, Amelia Flora and Betty Little. Cheryl was a founding member of the church, and was known to have conducted our first Easter rehearsal in the Sun City Mint Market parking lot. Jorge Altamirano, a Tucson native who left the area to pursue his dreams in New York City, was a great soloist that sang at Oro Valley United Church Of Christ. Amelia Flora was married at Oro Valley United Church Of Christ. Subsequently she was called to lead our choir. Betty Little came with a vast choral directing experience and led the choir for several years.

A major change came about at the turn of this century, when Dr. Bruce Chamberlain, then University of Arizona Interim Choral Activities Director, came to our church. As a volunteer choir, we learned that it was possible to attain much more ambitious goals if we put our heart, mind and faith into our performances.

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